It's late Friday afternoon and Anya and I are headed 2 hours northeast to Chattanooga, Tennessee for the Lookout Mountain 18 and 50 Mile race packet pickup at the local Fleet Feet Store. Afterwards, we are headed to the Cloudland Canyon State Park campground, which is a short 20 minute drive from the start/finish staging area of the Lookout Mountain races at Covenant College atop Lookout Mountain in Georgia.

The race is put on by Randy and Kris Whorton with Wild Trails. It takes both 18 and 50 mile runners on a beautiful loop along an amazing bluff line overlooking Chattanooga and the surrounding area before dropping runners down to the river just before a final 3+ mile climb back to the finish area where the 18 milers get to call it a day while the 50 milers continue on for another 50K in the other direction to explore more trails that include the Lula Lake Land Trust among other highlights. In total, 50 milers climb about 9000 feet, but the terrain generally results in finishing times slower than expected for a race of that distance and elevation gain.

This is a definite southeastern gem put on by some amazing people. It is a must do race for the true ultra runner.